European Inclusive Physical Education

The UNESCO Chair recognises that physical education, physical activity and sport have the potential to facilitate inclusion intersectionally across marginalised groups as these activities have the potential to trigger social change by breaking down barriers and stigma, increasing life chances, encouraging intercultural dialogue and understanding and supporting the empowerment of people with disabilities in a gender expansive manner. In this light, the UNESCO Chair is in the early stages of developing an online resource, called IPEPAS that will work towards mainstreaming diversity by inclusivizing PE, physical activity and sport on a global level for all people of ALL abilities. The resource aims to serve as a catalyst for social change, while building the capacity of the teachers, coaches and facilitators working in the fields of PE, physical activity and sport and the activity participants, globally. UNESCO’s International Charter for Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport (2015) is the primary informing document, along with UNESCO Quality PE guidelines, the Sustainable Development Goals, and with the UN Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (articles 24 and 30) and on the Rights of the Child.